Beaujolais Nouveau volumes likely down due to market erosion, but prices remain unchanged

his year’s metrics fail to stack up: the crop was very short and quality is stellar, but it is highly likely that some Beaujolais Nouveaux will fail to find buyers. “We estimate that yields will stand at 32 hl/ha for Beaujolais and 28 hl/ha for Beaujolais Villages”, explains David Ratignier, vice-chairman of the producers’ organisation for both appellations.

The overriding consensus among operators is that sales will fall below the 105,000 hl marketed in 2024. “The market for Beaujolais Nouveaux drops annually”, stresses Sebastien Kargul, vice-chairman of the region’s marketing organisation representing shippers. “At the moment, we are witnessing classic market erosion in French supermarkets, which will likely be more marked in non-EU export markets. Some importers are exiting the market in Japan due to changing consumer patterns – people are drinking more white wine for example – and in the US because of the taxes. It is too early, though, to assess the drop because not all transactions have been finalised”.

In on-premise and wine merchant channels, Kargul, the director of Châteaux de Corcelles and des Tours, which are owned by France’s prominent on-premise family Richard, points to “stability, which unfortunately comes after years of declining sales. Beaujolais Nouveau companies have been making strides for many years: they market some real gems that are valued by wine merchants and some restaurateurs as an opportunity for discovery, and a chance to preview the new vintage”.

“The aim is to promote all Beaujolais wines. So with Nouveau, there is a kind of unity that is essential for the region’s common good”.